The University of Texas Health Science Center – Houston General Clinical Research Center at Memorial Hermann Hospital is an NIH funded facility that provides the resources and infrastructure to support and promote clinical research.

• To support and promote the investigation of the cause, progression, prevention, management and cure of human disease
• To furnish an optimal setting for UTHSC-H scientists to conduct clinical research
• To offer an environment for educating and training current and future health professionals in clinical research

The GCRC consists of a multiple-bed, inpatient and outpatient clinical unit with specialized nursing and patient care staff, including a bionutritionist, to assist investigators conducting clinical research. Also available through the GCRC is informatics and biostatistical expertise to design protocols and collect, manage and report data efficiently and productively. NIH funding also allows investigator-initiated, peer- reviewed protocols to receive support from the GCRC to cover the cost of ancillary expenses such as imaging or laboratory tests and medications. A genetic sequencing and genotyping core laboratory is another resource offered by the GCRC.

Providing and supporting opportunities for all aspects of clinical research education and training is a major focus of the GCRC. Programs are offered for students from high school to post graduate and faculty members in a variety of forums. The GCRC also provides guidance for potential collaborations and additional funding sources for clinical research projects.

The assets of the GCRC are available to physicians and scientists from all medical specialties. Approximately 90 research protocols are currently active in the GCRC. These studies are investigating various aspects of asthma, cancer, diabetes, HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, infant stroke, bipolar disorder, heart disease and multiple sclerosis, among others. Research projects may focus on the mechanisms of disease, transmission and immunity, treatments, medications or genetic aspects. Subjects for research studies are drawn from diverse populations, including minorities.